Jennifer Allen acquired the Hot Springs Village Voice in February 2021, returning the weekly newspaper to local ownership.
“I’ve always had an ambition to own my own business,” she said. “It’s like icing on the cake to own something I’ve always been so passionate about.”
The paper “has been my home for the past 14 years, and this will be the first time in those 14 years the Voice is locally owned again,” she said.
Her career in the newspaper industry began when she was a teen.
Allen started in the advertising department at the Malvern Daily Record in high school and worked her way through college at the Daily Siftings Herald in Arkadelphia. After graduation she took a sales position with The Sentinel Record in Hot Springs, where she spent 15 years before going to the Hot Springs Village Voice.
She served as regional advertising director, general manager, and group publisher over several newspapers across the state for Gannett Media, including the Voice.
The opportunity presented itself for Allen to purchase the Voice after Gannett announced a reduction in force and realignment within the company. That’s when she reached out to the Henderson State University Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center.
Through the five and half months it took to complete the purchase, the center helped her create a business plan, takeover strategy, and cash flow analysis for the loan package she submitted to Arvest.
“ASBTDC was the starting point for me, and they have been my go-to source for confidential guidance and support. I couldn’t have done this without them,” she said. “ASBTDC is the first place to start, whether you are considering opening a new business or buying an existing business. ASBTDC is essential. They have the knowledge, resources, and expertise that entrepreneurs can rely on to be successful.”
As publisher of the Voice, her focus is on being Hot Springs Village’s main source of local news, resident and club activity announcements and coverage, and HSV Property Owners Association news and happenings.
Her advice to other entrepreneurs is, above all, don’t be afraid to take a risk. She also says, “Owning your own business is hard work. It’s important to obtain the required knowledge that is needed to get through the process. You have to work hard at creating these resources. Ask questions; communication is key.”
The Voice‘s website is hsvvoice.com.